灰原くんの強くて青春ニューゲーム

Although I still prefer characters to be introduced more gradually, I think it suits Serika. And well, she's a kind, straightforward, and passionate girl; she basically made Natsuki realize one of the reasons he went back in time. Regarding the band itself, besides having high expectations, it showed how music is a way to convey our feelings and perhaps our best selves, it sounds cliché, but I love it.

"I want to do it with you" She is so lewd or flirty in everything she says to Natsuki. A bassist won't fall into your lap huh? Somehow despite time traveling to redo his teen years he hasn't figured out his an anime protag yet. The sound of everyone prepping their instruments is weirdly soothing. I was so close to dropping this after episode 3 but decided to give it one more. While I'm not going to act like it is the best romance ever, it has gotten so much better from episode 4 on and I'm glad I stuck with it. Huh next episode is Monochrome. Call back to his original high school experience or something else?

I think it helps if you rethink the show in the vein of a Visual Novel where Natsuki is diving into different routes at the same time. The Hikari route involves helping her with her family drama and pursue her novelist dreams. The Uta route involves him looking cool for her. The Miori route involves helping her with basketball. The Yuino route involves working with her at the cafe. The Serika route involves joining her band.

A bit weird direction since it starts with Hikari longed for Natsuki's D warm and want to face her rival head on but been completely sidelined without her doing anything lol. Putting Uta aside, Miori just takes full frontal damage without a time to defense herself lmao...Uta sure got a devil luck since the ice didn't fall on her lap... Missed opportunity to tease her back, Natsuki... Never imagine their school wall so thin as hell... Seri, please stop being humbled and let us hear you singing!! I want to be exposed by Aimi range! The song is catchy, props to Yuuto for that vocal! But, it doesn't clearly show whether this is their first time rehearsing together or it's been time skipped after many trials. I hope it doesn't stay static at the main stage later though...

It's kind of wild how it feels like we're in endgame territory with the main love triangle and things heating up between the three of them...and then they pivot to a band side-plot with another girl that has nothing to do with the main love triangle lol. Miori: "Oh God, I can't believe another one of my friends is in love with him too! Why does this keep happening to me!?" Honestly her voice sounded perfect even from behind a door, it's a waste we didn't get to hear Seri sing properly.

I can easily see how Serika and Miori became friends; they both have the flirty but genuine vibes with Natsuki and I’m so glad to finally see the band from the OP. Also that ending song was just good vibes, although a bit cliche with all other characters hearing in amazement. Glad to see Serika encourage a genuine passion of Natsuki’s, independent of his time travel. I’ll admit I do have some slight timing concerns given we have 2 episodes left given the love triangle needs to be openly addressed, but I get the feeling it’ll coincide with festival

Hikari has realized her feelings for Natsuki. She wants to genuinely be with him romantically. She only feels bad because she knows it means betraying her friendship with Uta...but she's still resolved to fight for Natsuki. And she's prepared to face Uta with her feelings too. Though while that is going on, Natsuki is being propositioned by ANOTHER girl...Serika, to join a band together! This all began during a karaoke session where she heard him sing and fell in love...with his singing. Poor Miori dropped her glass and Uta had to breathe a sigh of relief that she's not another love rival (yet). Uta is such a sweetheart. She wants Natsuki to pick her but she doesn't want her feelings for him to make him unhappy. She deserves the world. Serika believes that with Natsuki's vocals, her songs can truly shine, and as such she wants him to be the vocalist for her band. Music has always been how she best expressed herself, having learned guitar from emulating her dad, and it's something that brings her and Natsuki together. And whatever his hesitation, Serika's sincerity and Natsuki's desire to avoid wasting his high school years again means he's willing to go along with her! It's nice to see Hikari and Natsuki supporting each other in their respective dreams, even if Hikari is little pouty over how well Natsuki and Serika are getting along. They've got their drummer, Iwano-senpai! He might not be smart enough to be a doctor but he's smart enough to know he can't fullfill his families' expectations and be in a band at the same time. But even if it means just playing for the culture festival, Serika wants this band to be a real thing! And Iwano can't deny Serika's resolve. What a coincidence that they need a bassist and the co-worker at the cafe Natsuki took under his wing is also a bassist. The hilarious thing is he's so invisible Serika never even realized he was in the music club with her the entire time. But if Natsuki and Serika believe in him, he's willing to give it a shot! We're finally a band! And as Natsuki's vocals and their music resound around the school, everyone in the main cast hears it (while Hikari is sitting in the library with some dude who looks like Natsuki in glasses...what?)! They might actually have the potential to make it big!

It was very predictable and plot convenient that Shinohara was going to end up being able to play the bass. Aside from that, I liked how they gave more context to Hondo asking Haibara to join the band; in the last episode, they made it seem like she just asked him out of the blue but it showed them going to karaoke together and that he visited her in the music club room and chatted about music. I'm still certain she has a crush on him though, although its possible she didn't correct the drummer when he said they were dating because she thought it might embarrass him to be like "ew i don't go out with him" or something like that. I was also surprised when Uta said how much she liked Haibara in front of Yuino and Hondo; I think she knows Hondo likes him but probably not Yuino. I do also think Hondo meant exactly that when she said she liked him but backed down because everyone looked so shocked and horrified.

Uta got some points from me this episode. She's definitely trying to win, but she won't stand in Natsuki's way if it's clear that he's not picking her. Can't say that for every love interest in a multi-path romance series. I like Serika. She's got a good design and is kind and passionate so I wasn't disappointed that we got an episode focused on her and the band she wants to start. However, I was a little confused. I don't know what that had to do with an episode title of "Facade" though.

So far so good on not expanding the harem to include Serika too. After skipping all possible singing and guitar playing during the episode proper I'm glad we got a full enough performance for the ED. I wonder if one of the outcomes will be senpai realizing he'd rather keep playing and doing something he wants to do than quit to become a doctor which he doesn't. I'm a little surprised Uta didn't get pulled into the band considering her name, but that would probably have been the death knell for Hikari and surely she'll be the winning girl if there ever is one.